Page 43 of Knot a Thief

The thought sends a chill through me that has nothing to do with the cool water. I try to push it aside, focusing instead on the distant shoreline that’s slowly growing larger.

I’m all alone in this vast expanse of blue with only my wits. At least, this machine keeps me alive and free. It’s strangely thrilling and absolutely terrifying in equal measure.

I feel powerful, outsmarting those who thought they had cornered me.

But as I feel another twinge in my lower belly, I also feel incredibly vulnerable, wondering what was pumped in the air that’s made my body peculiar.

Seb and I always had a plan, if this was ever the outcome. If one of us was in peril, the other had to get to safety before planning a rescue attempt.

I was on my way back to the boat when I saw men zipping down thin rope onto the vessel, and I knew I didn’t have the time to think about Seb.

I groan at the churning in my guts. I just know this is much bigger than my usual outwitting security personnel in a hotel. So much bigger.

As the mainland nears, a burst of adrenaline courses through my veins, making every sensation suddenly sharper.

I wriggle against the pinch on my chest, acutely aware of the diamond pressing against my skin. Yet, I’m still not sure if this was a failure or a success.

Time will tell.

I grit my teeth, ignoring the ache in my muscles and the fear growing in my gut. I’ve come too far to give up now. Whatever happens, I’m determined to see this through to the end.

A sharp, intense pain suddenly engulfs my insides. It’s so excruciating my fingers loosen on the scuba jet. And for one heart-stopping moment, I gasp as I nearly lose my grip entirely.

As I struggle to maintain control, the diamond digs deeper into my chest, sending waves of pain through my body.

You can do this.

The shore is tantalizingly close now, the strip of golden sand promising not only safety but relief.

The pain intensifies, causing my vision to blur and making it difficult to focus.

My insides feel like they are being torn apart, each jolt of the scuba jet sending fresh agony through my core.

I bite down hard on my mouthpiece, tasting rubber and salt.

And just when I think I can’t endure another second, the scuba jet sputters and dies.

Fuck!

The sudden loss of momentum nearly dislodges me from the device. Panic blooms in my throat as I realize I’m still too far out to touch the bottom.

With throbbing arms, I release the now-useless jet and swim.

Trying to stay underwater,

Trying to evade capture.

Each stroke is torture, the pain in my gut is kindling into an inferno. But the alternative is unthinkable. So I push on, one agonizing stroke of my arms at a time.

The distance isn’t that far away now, but with the pain in my abdomen, it seems impossible.

Slowly and painfully, I close the gap.

My lungs scream for air, my muscles burn with exertion, and just when I think I can’t go any further, my feet brush against the sand.

Relief floods through as I push through the last of the shallows and stumble onto the shore, collapsing onto my hands and knees before I rip off my mask and snorkel. I gulp in lungfuls of air between sobs of pain and exhaustion.

For a moment, I kneel there, water lapping at my thighs, my entire body trembling.

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